Arrive in Beijing (Saturday)
Welcome to Beijing- the capital of China and home to many wonders. On arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your impressive 5 star hotel.

Beijing
Today we will walk across Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the symbolic center for all of China. We will then visit the magnificent Forbidden City. This complex, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. Afternoon, we will visit Summer Palace. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) in the northwestern suburb of Beijing was built in 1750, so far the best-preserved imperial garden in China, and was endorsed by the UNESCO in 1998 as a world cultural heritage site. As a paragon of Chinese gardens, this huge garden includes Longevity Hill, whose beauty is set off by a multitude of halls, kiosks and trees, and Kunming Lake, a vast man-made construction with water filled by a large reservoir north of Beijing. [B/L/D]

Beijing
Take a full day excursion to the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most amazing feats of human labor. The Great Wall is the most famous image of China throughout the world. It is the only man made object visible from the moon, and as one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation. Later visit the Ming Tombs at Changling along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their tombs here. This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves.  [B/L/D]

Beijing
After breakfast, we will visit Temple of Heaven to see local people doing Taiji and morning exercises. Built in 1420, it was where Ming and Qing emperors prayed Heaven for good harvests. Major structures are hall of Prayer for good Harvest, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, and Abstinence Palace. UNESCO endorsed Temple of Heaven as a world cultural heritage site in December 1998. The highest is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Later, we will visit Museum of China Ancient Architecture & History of Beijing. Afternoon, we will take a tour to Hutong. Hutong is an ancient urban alley peculiar to Beijing. The ancient city has several thousands of hutong around the Forbidden City. Most of them were formed in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Most hutongs in Beijng are mainly located in the area near Shichahai, the most beautiful place in old Beijing, with the oldest water areas, the mansions of the former princes, temples, famous personages’ former residences. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck dinner & cultural show in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Beijing/Xi'an Flight
After breakfast, we fly to Xian and transfer to your hotel. Over a period of more than 2000 years, Xian was the capital for eleven dynasties. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city was a world leader in culture and trade and played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. Afternoon, we will visit the Large Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city, it is said to have been built to house and protect Buddhist scriptures collected by the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang. Later visit Shanxi Provincial History Museum, a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. [B/L/D]

Xi'an
Today we will visit the spectacular sight of the tomb of emperor Qin Shi Huang guarded by 8,000 Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses in battle formation. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”.  Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner& Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [B/L/D]

Xi'an/Chongqing Flight
Fly to Chongqing, the birthplace of Ba and Yu culture with the history of 3000 years. Afternoon we visit World War II & Stillwell Museum. The museum is housed in the former VIP guest house of the Guomingdang and residence of General Stillwell. Since 1991, the Chongqing Municipal Government has turned it into a museum, housing exhibits on General Stillwell and Americans in Chongqing during World War II. After dinner, board deluxe Yangtze River cruiser (MV. Paradise) and start our venture tour on the Yangtze River. With a rich Chinese cultural heritage of thousands of years, the Three Gorges is not only a picturesque natural gallery, but also a spectacular treasure house. [B/L/D]

Cruise
The cruiser sails downstream. Shore excursion to Shibaozhai temple, which is one of the most spectacular along the Yangtze. This 12-story wooden pagoda was build against the side of a sheer rectangular cliff. Today, this 400- year old temple has one of the best views of Yangtze River. Shibaozhai is ranked as one of the eight strangest architectural structures of the world, and is renowned as the pearl of the Yangtze River. [B/L/D]

Cruise
Today the cruiser will sail into the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Although Qutang Gorge is the smallest among the Three Gorges, it is actually the most powerful one and the water here flows most rapidly at this spot. The Wu Gorge boasts the most immediately beautiful and spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. Flanking the river is a series of green mountains with precipices and peaks where the water zigzags forward and gives way to some attractive scenery. Afternoon transfer to smaller boats to see the Shennongxi Stream or the Lessor Three Gorges along the Daning River. Then the cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Three Gorges Dam. [B/L/D]

Yichang/Shanghai Flight
The cruiser sails downstream and arriving at Sandouping and shore excursion to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest project of China. One of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the world, the Three Gorges Project will forever change the face of the Yangtze River as we know today. Possessing comprehensive utilization benefits mainly for flood control, power generation and navigation improvement. It will be vital important and backbone project in harnessing and developing of the Yangtze River. At 12:30, disembarkation in Yichang, continue your trip to shanghai, the largest commercial and financial center of China. [B/L]

Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration form The Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with a mile-long of European buildings. Later, visit the small yet exquisite Yu Yuan Garden, and the Jade Buddha Temple, a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, which was built in 1882 to keep two precious jade Buddha statues. Shop in Carpet Factory & enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. [B/L/D]

Zhujiajiao
Take a morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a typical ancient water town in the south of the Yangtze River. Wander around well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, ancient stone bridges and ancient streets. After lunch, we will visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. The Bronze Gallery is a must-see section. [B/L/D]

Depart Shanghai (Thursday)
You will be transferred to airport for your flight to your sweet home. [B]

*Price per person in Canadian dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together

Includes:

• 12 nights accommodation based on twin sharing with buffet breakfast:
  • Beijing Plaza Royal or Chang An Grand Hotel or Oriental Bay Hotel (all 5 star)
  • Xi'an King Dynasty Hotel or Aurum International Hotel (4 star)
  • Shanghai Galaxy Hotel or similar (4 star)
  • Yangtze River Cruise: MV Paradise standard twin cabin (4 star)
• Sightseeing tours with lunch & dinner listed in the above itinerary, including
  • Peking Duck Dinner & Cultural Show in Beijing
  • Chinese Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in Xian
  • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
  • Lunch & dinner at local restaurant with one glass of soft drink
  • Special lunch at local restaurant with soft drinks
  • Special dinner at local restaurant with soft drinks & local wine
• National guide service from Beijing to Shanghai
• Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
• Round trip airport/hotel transfers in each city
• Domestic airfare Beijing/ Xian/ Chongqing- Yichang/ Shanghai with airport tax and fuel surcharge
• Baggage handling

Excludes:

• International flights & airport taxes
• Travel insurance
• Visa fee
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities to guide, driver & porters